Ex AN F/A's at Australian Interview

[MICHEAL STIPE]

Edited by Xenia running a playschool.
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[PFM]

Mic, Mic, Mic...

Assuming that by some miracle that your "sour pus" demeanour was overlooked, and you managed to get to the the psych test, how did you answer the following questions...

When I meet a group of people I,

a) Generalise, and tar thousands of them all with the same brush.
b) Dont bother to get to know them, just slag them off behind their backs.
c) Attack, it is the best form of defense.

You are hiring for a new airline. You would,

a) Avoid hiring experienced people at all costs, because there are sooo many deserving wanabes out there
b) Not hire Ansett people, because they are obviously arrogant, and their international flying experience on 763s is irrelevant, because they did it with attitude, and those industry customer service awards were rigged anyway!
c) You now have a chance to sink the boot in to a group of thousands who have lost their chosen career. Take it!

To everyone else, and I include AN people in this, you have a chance to set up a completely new Flight Attendant Dept, with your previous knowledge, and refreshing new knowledge brought to you from new hires from other industries, you have the chance to learn from the mistakes of other departments in the past, and start affresh. Hopefully benefiting yourselves, and your workmates for years to come. Grab this oppurtunity, run with it, and dont look back!

To Micheal Stipe, your passion to fly is obvious. If you are still in the process, good luck. If you get in, you will be working with some great ex-AN, QF, VB, Compass, CX, EK, YC, YT and KD people. You may even like some of them, and heaven for bid, may even learn something from them, and them from you... If you missed out, we can just take the above post as a miss guided venting of the spleen. Good luck...

[FloatJockey]

I couldn't read the original post of Micheal, but I guess Xenia did what had to be done...

There were quite a lot of ex-Ansett at my interview session in SYD Thursdays morning: some of them where very pleasant, others a bit annoying, the same way wannabes can be sometime (myself included). I don't think ex-AN had a better chance actually and I can prove it: when I arrived at the Menzies, I met a woman that had worked over 7 years as a F/A for AN. She failed the registration process and the only reason I can think of is her height (she was probabily 160 cm). How would you justify that?? Well, what is OK for one company is no good for another. Maybe safety rules have changed since then... C'est la vie!

You'll find your cup of tea Mr. Stipe! Hang in there and please contain your bitterness.

Mrs. FloatJockey, wannabe booked for stage 2! Yipee!

[Xenia]

Well said FloatJockey :)
Another point to underline is that we live in democracy, therefore free to say what we feel/think. However is no what we say...but how we say it.
As a good rule to remember... respect toward others.
Best of luck Float :cool:

[flightbunny]

hi all,

i agree i think michael is a bit bitter for what ever reason!!! but anyway congratulations mrs fj on getting through i read your other post i hope u get the job..

all the best for the 2nd stage...

:)

[FloatJockey]

Thanks girls.

Hopefully I'll get to see the sun over the clouds soon. :cool:

I need to prepare myself for the panel interview and I was wondering is someone can suggest a book that would develop my taste for asian culture. I've never been anywhere in Asia (well, except for an overnight in Singapore in between flights) and I feel I need to do something about this.

I've been through several books (recruitment centre manual and psychology/spiritual books in particular... mmh, good stuff!) and I feel quite confident about my strenght in general, but Australian Airlines mentioned they are looking for people with "a passion for asian culture"... Do you know any publication called "Guide to become the perfect flight attendant working between Oz and Asia"?? :D

Help appreciated!

Mrs. FloatJockey

[ksd333]

Hi Floaty, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I see a "passion for asian culture" as many things, a love of their food, language (planning for future study!!!), spirituality as you mentioned and the country in general, special sites and cities that interest you etc... and the warmth and friendliness of the people and their desire to see our side of the world.
You have all of these passions and a big one for flying, all you must do is put it all in the right package to sell yourself on the day.
I'm sure you can do it, so read up and go in there and give it all you have.

PS 6 days and counting...i have my uniform so just excuse me while i pin my wings on my jacket...

PS How did Mr floaty go by the way?

I wish you all the luck in the worldxxx:D

[TLA]

Well Mrs FJ I have a passion for Asia

...and also have the experience of being based in NE Asia for a couple of years for work....

Reading material... think we need to keep this short and simple, all the Lonley Planet guides have a general info section in the front, would suggest you browse through the appropriate sections for the relevant countries.

My opinion may not be what your interviewers will be looking for - but it should be interesting reading for you.

SIMPLE FACTS

1. Asia has higher service standards than Australia and most countries - particularly Japan.
2. Man is still King in Asia and it is still customary for a male to be served first at a restaurant! Strange as it may seem to our western 'ladies first' attitude.
3. Eye contact and body language is less overt. Direct eye contact can be a little too direct/assertive for some asians.
4. Wherever possible, pass objects with two hands - it shows a greater respect.
5. Never touch an Asian person on the head. Most disrespectful.
6. Always bow lower than your passenger if they first bow to you.
7. Asians love blonde hair - they are fascinated by it - seeing as they all have dark hair and remember a smile is universal.

Hope it helps.

[Kaptin M]

Karma Sutra`s not a bad start, Mrs F.J., for that Asian passion!

I suggest that if an Asian airlinr is looking to employ YOU, it is BECAUSE you are NOT Asian, and so they will be looking for that overt, direct, Western culture. Trying to "Asianise" your habits will be uncomfortable for you, and confusing for them. By the same token, don`t be over-bearing.

Perhaps some specific knowledge on the population size and some pertinent geographical knowledge of their country AND your`s will go a long way.

Good Luck.

[FloatJockey]

Uh! Kaptin M! I guess I should give you a call then... you know, for those 3 people position things they describe in the book...... :eek: :eek: Yeah right!

By the way, the airline is 100 % Australian (actually it is QANTAS owned, just a separate Management), therefore I don't know about the Western Culture thing they may be looking for...

For a start, I'll give a go to some more noodles recipies and I'm thinking to read "Art of War for Women" instead of the Kamasutra... I'm sure I'll learn more usefull stuff out of this one! :D

Mrs. FloatJockey

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p.s for KSD333: Got your big envelope babe! THanks! Now I've to study seriously!!!!... Enjoy your new wings! Hehehe! :cool: